Labor Day weekend in Columbus is not for the faint-hearted. Despite what the calendar says, most of us consider Labor Day as the end of summer, and we take our end-of-summer rituals seriously. There's art, festivals, a pow-wow, cars, sports, theater and music. And you didn't really want to clean out the garage, anyway, did you?
Greek Festival
Greek food, history, dancing, tours of the Cathedral, more food, more dancing…
When: September 4-7
Where: Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High
Time: Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun: noon.–midnight; Mon.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Adults: $5; Seniors: $4; Kids under 12: free
Native American Traditional Pow Wow
Native American dancing, singing, food, crafts. Head Drum: Many Voices. Flutist: Jacob Laughing Fox Fitch. Head dancer: Roger Campbell. Hoop Dancer: Peter Chiquito.
When: September 5-7
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St. Hilliard
Time: Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun: 11 a.m.–11 a.m.; Mon.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Weekend pass: $15; Adults: $7; Seniors: $3; Kids under 5: free
WaterFire
Bonfires dance on the Scioto River as BalletMet dances on stage.
When: September 4
Where:Downtown Columbus riverfront, near Genoa park amphitheatre
Time: BalletMet starts 8:00 p.m.; WaterFire bonfires lit 8:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Short North Gallery Hop
Art, restaurants, street shows and an endless parade of people. (Okay, it just seems endless, but that doesn’t sound as good.)
When: September 5
Where: Short North
Time: about 5-10 p.m.
Cost: free
Cricket Tournament
Relax and watch the gentlemen in white guard the wicket, run, maybe even bat a century.
When: September 5
Where: Busch Sports Park, 4990 Olentangy River Road, Columbus
Time: games begin at 9 a.m.
Cost: free to spectators. (rules, in case you need them)
Sunbury Antique & Flea Market
Score great deals at the flea market, discover antiques you just know your aunt had back in the day, and leave room for the pit-cooked beef.
When: September 7
Where: Sunbury Village Square, Cherry Street and Rte. 37, Sunbury
Time: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $1
Candi Landrum's In a Fallen World
Local theater company Kingdom Minded Music and Drama Productions is premiering a spiritual, humorous look at the Book of Job.
When: September 5
Where: Linoln Theatre, 775 E. Long St., Columbus
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: $20-$25
Concerts on the Creek
Pack your picnics and lawn chairs, and head for this lovely park in historic Olde Gahanna.
When: September 5
Where: Creekside Park, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: free
Italian Gathering 2009
A large Italian-cars-and cycles-only show – think Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Lancia, Lamborghini…Proceeds go to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption & Wendy's Wonderful Kids
When: September 6
Where: Wendy's International Corporate Grounds, One Dave Thomas Blvd., Dublin
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival
Come watch the largest gathering of vintage base ball teams in the country! More than 25 teams from across nation square off on fields around the Ohio Village to celebrate our national pastime.
When: September 5-6
Where: Ohio Historical Center/Ohio Village, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus
Time: daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: admission: Free; parking:$4
Soccer and Volleyball Invitationals at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
First held in 1920, this year’s Labor Day Festival includes a parade, rides, cruise-in, family activities and music.
When: September 5-7
Where: Historic Downtown Canal Winchester, High St., Canal Winchester
Time: Sat.: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: noon.–11 p.m.; Mon.: 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: free
Ohio Half Arabian Fall Horse Show
When: September 5-6
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus
Time: Daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: free to audience
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Almost 200 artists will show and sell their ceramics, glass, painting, photography, sculpture and wooden works. There is also music, a large kids’ area and a stupendous Friends of the Library booksale at the Upper Arlington Library, on the park’s northern border.
When: September 7
Where: Northam Park, Upper Arlington
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: free
Ohio State University Football vs. Navy
When: September 5
Where: Ohio Stadium, Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus
Time: TBA
Cost: varies